Are there any other women besides me that still only wear long skirts and dresses anymore?

Anna - posted on 11/23/2011
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The first thing that we must understand when asking this question is that no one in the Bible wore pants. They did not exist back then—at least not in the form we have them today. Because of this, the Bible never dealt with the subject of women wearing pants.

As far as Scripture goes, the one most often used in such debates is Deuteronomy 22:5, which says: “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.”

I do think that ladies should still use wisdom in what kind of pants they wear, making sure that they are not too tight and don’t call too much attention to certain areas with flashy pockets, etc. As in wearing any article of clothing, we ought to determine whether it is wise and edifying to those who will see it before we put it on. Of course, at the same time that I hold that wearing pants is not unbiblical, I also believe that skirts are more ladylike and feminine. I think it would be good if all women wore skirts, as I am usually of the opinion that they are more flattering and that women would look all the better for wearing them.

Overall, I have found skirt-wearing to be an edifying practice, but that does not mean that I find wearing pants to be a sin in and of itself. Personally, I am very inclined to limit the times I wear pants, and of course I would encourage others to do so as well. But it’s not necessarily a matter of holiness or sinning. There are immodest pants and there are immodest skirts. There are times when wearing pants draws inappropriate attention and times when wearing skirts and dresses draws inappropriate attention.

In all cases and with everything we wear, we ought to use caution and good sense to determine if is appropriate for the situation and the people and/or culture with which we will be interacting. And of course, keeping in line with Deuteronomy 22:5, our attire ought to show that we embrace God's plan to make the genders distinct, giving no one the occasion to wonder if we are a man or a woman.

I think this issue is totally a personal one..im one of those people that just wear everything..dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts etc...i have never realy felt convicted on the dress sense, i like to make sure im modest in appearance but dont have a problem wearing pants or skirts and dresses to the knees etc

I know that my heavenly father sees me as no other can because He sees what is in my heart. Now if NOT wearing pants helps you to be close to our heavenly father then by all means keep on keepin on. I personally know that it means nothing to how my heavenly father sees me.

I am very glad you brought this subject up. As a young woman I choose to wear longer dresses/skirts which I include as nothing above my knee caps and I tend to feel like a minority. However I can just as easily enjoy a pair of my husband's sweat pants because hey, they are more comfortable. I feel as long as I still obviously look like a woman God doesn't mind what I wear as long as I stay modest. When purchasing clothes for my husband, daughter (7 1/2 months) and myself I always put modesty first, no baggy pants for my husband and he always wears a belt, I do not buy my daughter things that say "I'm the cutest" or things along those lines as I feel that draws unnecessary attention to looks alone and I buy longer skirts/dresses and normal fitting jeans. Thank You for bringing this subject to light, I have very much enjoyed hearing everyone's input. God Bless.

I know many women who choose to only wear long skirts... so, no, I don't believe you are alone.

I personally choose to wear pants and I will not wear loose clothing. The reason behind this is because of the studies they have proven about women and rape cases. A man out to rape will choose a woman in a long skirt over a woman in tight pants. A man out to rape will choose a woman in baggy sweat pants over a woman with leggings, skirt, and other layers. They choose this because it is easier prey. As a person that has been raped in the past - I choose to not wear the clothes that a rapist actually targets.

I've found it really doesn't matter what you wear, some man out there will find you an object of sex, whether you were aiming to be or not. I wear what I like and I truly believe modest is hottest - and many guys agree with that statement because many guys find mystery MORE attractive than a woman that flaunts it all.

I was a mail carrier, both city and rural routes for 15 years, and a factory worker before that. I cannot imagine trying to wear a long skirt for either of these occupations.

I have seen heavier women wear, what they thought were suitable-long dresses, only to be standing behind them when they bend over---oy! My mom had one of these ladies in her church as a girl, who said 'no man has EVER seen my ankles', and Mom said, that's because they were staring at her thighs!'

I am disabled, and suffer many ailments. I have found sweats offer the least amount of constricting-ness (I just made a new word ;)). These MAY be seen by some as mens' clothing, but I am decently covered, and comfortable. I think people can still figure out if I'm a woman.

What the Lord was talking about in these Scriptures are, of course, men who wear dresses, or lesbians who cut their hair in a mans cut and wear even womens clothes, but make them look masculine. God wants men to be men, and women to be women. Paul told us not to call attention to ourselves, but to call attention to God. I don't think, in the long run, that He cares as much WHAT we wear as long as we are glorifying Him.

Interesting post! There may be some impracticalities of regularly (or even occasionally) wearing long dresses or skirts. I would certainly endorse the PRACTICALITY though (in one way) of wearing long skirts and dresses. This is from the point of view of someone who regularly ladders tights (or panti-hose as you call them in the States) and also as someone with chunky thighs and backside who can't ever get the tights/panti-hose to stay up without a pair of "control" knickers on top holding them in place. I do possess a few full length skirts and dresses.

But the other side of the coin is the impracticality of long skirts and dresses - especially with my job. I support and care for disabled people and we have a dress code at work. Long skirts and dresses aren't actually forbidden, but if the female staff started regularly wearing them, I think the management would have to say they're not suitable.

I'm imagining a lot of scenarios here - for example:

a) Long skirt gets caught in wheelchair spokesb) Long skirt swishes about and gets soaked whilst supporting a client having a showerc) A client with "challenging behaviour" (yes there are lots of these!) attacks a staff member wearing a long skirt and rips it - leaving someone with torn clothing, bare legs and a loss of dignity!!

So trousers are the most suitable attire for both male and female staff in my workplace - and probably for both male and female clients as well!

Another impracticality is the ironing of long skirts or dresses - takes longer!

But if the lifestyle you have and the job you do makes it practical, easy and comfortable to wear long skirts and dresses, then that's great.

I don't judge anyone on their clothing, either in Christian circles or in secular life. But I'm very aware that most people do and first impressions are visual ones.

I don't envy or resent anyone who has nicer, more expensive clothing than me - that's only money! But I do gasp in admiration if I see anyone wearing a beautifully co-ordinated outfit that has personal effort and style stamped all over it (that's something very different from clothing that's merely expensive).

In all, I'm not an image-conscious person myself - just like to have clothes that are easy to care for, not too expensive to buy & comfortable to wear - especially underwear and shoes. I like to accessorize with attractive, colourful jewellery, handbags, hair ornaments, belts and scarves. The jewellery does not have to be real gold or silver, some lovely interesting pieces can be obtained in costume jewellery ranges, very cheaply.

I'm not slim and gorgeous, I'm rather overweight if anything! But I don't feel God will love me any more or any less if I dressed differently!